Wastewater Utility Field Crew

POSITION PURPOSE:
This position performs industrial and sanitary sewer flow sampling and monitoring, sewer/lift station maintenance and collection system emergency response.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Sets automatic samplers at industries to obtain representative samples.  Recognizes changes in flow streams and makes independent adjustments based on flow characteristics.
• Installs and removes weirs and flumes in confined spaces to take flow proportional samples.
• Televises sewer pipes using closed circuit televising (CCTV) to identify line defects or obstructions.
• Inspects interceptor sewer lines, sewer out-falls, and culverts for obstructions and defects.
• Maintains accurate chain-of-custody forms and other necessary industrial sampling logs.
• Performs proper equipment preparation and cleaning between set-ups to prevent cross contamination, and performs quality checks to verify cleaning procedures.
• Accurately splits wastewater samples and preserves samples with the correct chemical and environmental preservative in accordance with state codes.
• Assists the Utility pretreatment coordinator or inspector with equipment setup and computerized data download of collection system flow.
• Performs pH meter calibration and proper use, including recording of calibration procedures and sample results.
• Maintains accurate and complete files regarding pretreatment sampling activities.
• Conducts dye testing of wastewater discharge piping and sewer laterals at industrial and commercial facilities to determine the point of discharge of wastewater flows.
• Maintains records of maint/operation of sampling, flow, and confined space equipment.
• Performs duties of other field operations, as needed.
• Operates sewer jet flush unit and vacuum combination machine, power driven rodding machine, and related trucks and equipment.
• Adheres to all safety procedures as defined by the Utility work and safety rules.
• Navigates a computer screen, and interprets SCADA system and GIS data.
• Files, photocopies, responds to phone or electronic internal or external inquiries.
• Rotates weekly emergency sewer call stand-by duty.

Minimum training and experience required to perform essential job functions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School graduation, or GED equivalent, and at least 18 years old.
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Basic General Wastewater Operator and Collection Systems Subgrade (SS) certification is required within 1 year of hire.
• A valid state-issued motor vehicle operating license, and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) - Class B is required within 6 months of hire.
• Safety training certification in confined space entry is required within 6 months of hire.
• Proficiency with computer applications, and programming electronic instrumentation.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• An associate’s degree related to water quality technology or environmental health is preferred.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must become proficient in the use of the City of Racine sewer atlas (hard copy or electronic formats), and be familiar with the Racine wastewater collection system and safety sites.
• Ability to follow a sampling schedule and become familiar with the chemical terminology used.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Great time management skills, open to frequent changes in daily plans, and ability to re-prioritize tasks as these changes occur.
• Ability to listen, ask questions, and follow directions.
• Desire to learn.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Language and Interpersonal Communication.

• Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards.  Ability to compare, count, differentiate, classify, compute, tabulate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information.
• Ability to utilize, interpret, and apply a variety of advisory data and information such as blueprints, and use the Plat Book of sewer mains, charts, graphs, Safety Data Sheets, and technical operating manuals.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with varied and diverse contacts, such as Utility personnel, general public, and industrial environmental or maintenance staff
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning

• Ability to apply rational and ethical judgment, tact, courtesy, and diplomacy when dealing with public customers (sometimes distraught) and city representatives.

Physical Requirements

• Must have good dexterity with ability to hand operate equipment and instruments, some requiring complex and rapid adjustments in coordination with eye movement.
• Must be physically able to climb into and out of manholes of varying depths and tight quarters, and follow confined space entry procedures.
• Ability to exert strenuous physical effort to lift and carry objects up to 50 lbs, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.  Must be able to remove and replace manhole covers.
• Must be able to not be sensitized by exposure to personal protective equipment (PPE) constituents (such as, but not limited to, latex, acrylic, polypropylene, filter cartridges).
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarity or difference between characteristics of color, sound and odors as associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.

Work Environment and Conditions

• Ability to work outdoors under severe weather conditions; hot and cold; outside on streets, and in varying traffic conditions.
• Ability to work in less than desirable conditions (such as sewers, wet wells, and industrial settings) under potentially unsafe and uncomfortable conditions in confined spaces, where exposure to environmental factors such as heat, odors, dampness, chemicals, noise, pathogens, electrical currents, and/or dusts can cause a risk of injury.
• Exposure to cleaning compounds and chemical reagents used for sanitizing sample containers or preserving water samples.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Buckets, strainers, flumes, sampling equipment, battery power packs and charging equipment, miscellaneous laboratory glassware and equipment, metering pumps, graduated cylinders, beakers, field and laboratory meters, push camera, CCTV camera, confined space entry safety equipment, computers, laptops, telephones/cell phones, calculator, hand tools, wrenches, sockets, manhole cover removing device, gas detector, lifting equipment/crane, tools used in various cleaning operations, and dishwasher.
• Truck-mounted jet flushing/vacuum combination machine (Vactor).
• Power-driven sewer rodding machine.
• Software technology used may include Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Time Management Software (TMS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Software (SCADA), FlowLink, LINKO (PIMS), Element (LIMS), and Geographic Information System (GIS); Other software may be applied.

This job description is intended to identify essential duties and also illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed; it is expected that employees maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the Utility or City of Racine.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.